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On The Road Again

Things here in Portland are blooming and there's a buzz of excitement and relief in the air. As the Spring Equinox approaches I've been contemplating what has happened in the first quarter of the year and re-evaluating my intentions for moving forward. So far, 2018 has been a pretty amazing year of personal exploration and expansion. I spent a week in Tampa teaching a workshop on The Power of Presence. In February, I went to Mexico with Adria Owen to lead our second retreat at Xinalani. Wow! It was one of the most magical experiences. My heart was blown wide open. After the retreat I spent four nights in Puerto Vallarta where I celebrated my 45th birthday. I came back from the retreat inspired and rested.

A week after returning I bought a car! After 8 years of living a car-free life I am now the proud owner of a 2017 Honda Fit. I LOVE IT!!! I can already feel adventure calling me. The car is symbolic of some really hard work I've done around money issues, confidence as a teacher, and the success of my business.

I still have some travels ahead. At the end of April I return to the Art of Living Center in Boone, NC to lead another retreat with Val on living a heart-inspired life. Then in July I return to Tampa for another weekend workshop! AAANNND... Adria and I already booked our next Mexico retreat for 2019! We're already almost half full so get your deposit in soon to hold your spot!

This year I am working on creating a life filled with adventure, honesty, love, success, and connection. As this year has unfolded these are the lessons that have most affected my outlook.

1. What you practice is what you end up with. Your happiness is your responsibility. If you are practicing complaining that's what you strengthen. If you are practicing judging others then you end up with a life full of judgement. If you are practicing hating your body then you end up with hating your body. On the flip side, if you practice joy you get more joy. If you practice being positive, successful, courageous, honest, and more loving then that is what you end up getting more of. The thing is, it's not easy. You have to be honest. You have to be willing to look honestly within yourself. Then you have to decide if what you are practicing is actually what is serving you and the intentions your have for your life.

2. Choose the people you want to spend time with and who you want to surround yourself with. Who you spend time with influences how you feel, how you view the world, and ultimately who you become. Surround yourself with people who emulate the qualities you admire.

3. Do the things you love to do. Stop making excuses as to why you can't do the things you love. What excuses and stories are you telling yourself about why you can't? And what are you actually doing about it? The self-limiting stories you carry around are just that-- stories. You can re-write your story.

4. Life is a continual ebb and flow. There will be beautiful times when you feel on top of the world, and there will be dark times when life is hard. Sometimes, these things can happen at the exact same time. Perhaps Mary Oliver says it best. "We shake with joy, we shake with grief. What a time they have, these two housed as they are in the same body."